PRESS RELEASE

Tel Aviv / Vienna, 8 June 2014 - The Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that furthers cooperation between UNODC and Israel in countering drugs and crime.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mr. Fedotov said: "I warmly welcome the decision of Israel to strengthen our partnership. Drugs and crime represent a huge threat across every region and they undermine sustainable development, stability, and the rule of law."

The MoU was signed in the presence of Avigdor Lieberman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and will initially last for three years. Throughout this period, UNODC and Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) will work together on a number of key areas, including human trafficking, violence against women and reducing drug supply and demand.

Prior to the ceremony, Mr. Fedotov laid a wreath in Yad Vashem's Hall of Remembrance, Israel's official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. He also signed a visitor's book in the Children's Hall.

Earlier, Mr. Fedotov held talks on the issues of drugs and crime with government officials including Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Peri and Minister of Public Security Yitzhak Aharanovich.